Germany: Merkel stranded as ally quits grand coalition

[muriel_volestrangler]

Elections loom after shock announcement by Stoiber

Germany was gripped by a fresh political crisis yesterday after a senior conservative announced he would not serve in a "grand coalition" under Angela Merkel.

Last night Edmund Stoiber said that the basis of the grand coalition had disappeared. His Bavarian party colleague Michael Glos would now take up the post of economics minister instead, he said. "I have come to the conclusion that as leader I can represent my party's interests better in Munich," he added.

His announcement came a day after Franz Müntefering, the Social Democrat chairman, plunged his party into disarray by announcing that he would step down. The resignation came after his preferred candidate for general secretary was beaten by a leftwinger, Andrea Nahles. Ms Nahles yesterday said she might resign as well.
...
Commentators yesterday said they had serious doubts whether a grand coalition led by Ms Merkel would now happen. It was also unclear if Ms Merkel would become chancellor on November 22.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1606413,00.html

Which may mean Schröder stays as caretaker chancellor until new elections next March.

[arcos]

1. LOL!

That would be awesome :evilgrin:

[VegasWolf]

2. Ahh! This will make the little freepers cry!

:nopity:

[Endangered Specie]

4. Assuming they could find Germany on a map

[rurallib]

7. If we invade them then the freeps will look it up.

[stepnw1f]

3. The Grand Fascist Dream Is Dying

On a global level... that's right freepers. Bay day for you isn't it? Here... hold this anchor and test the theory of gravity for all of us non-believers. We dare you......

:nopity:

[tocqueville]

5. cm'on merckel is not a fascist

she is an European liberal, which makes her a socialist by US standards.

[Darranar]

8. Her party is essentially Thatcherist.

Not a "socialist" by any means, even by American standards.

[Gregorian]

6. Yes. Let's hope it turns around.

I don't know how this might affect the country, but this might be for the best.